“You see yourself like in a mirror”: the effects of internet-mediated personal networks on body image and eating disorders

Body image issues associated with eating disorders consist of attitudinal and perceptual components: individuals’ dissatisfaction with body shape or weight, and inability to correctly assess body size. While prior research has mainly explored social pressure from media, fashion, and advertising, we aim to uncover how personal networks, also encompassing internet-mediated interactions, bear upon body image. We estimate these effects with data from a survey of users of websites on eating disorders, including indicators of their body size and body image, and maps of their networks of connections. A bivariate ordered probit accounts for the joint distribution of attitudinal and perceptual body image dimensions depending on network characteristics. Results, confirmed by in-depth interviews, provide evidence that personal networks affect body image concerns, and show that this influence varies significantly by body size. Personal networks, as may be formed also (but not only) online, can be conducive to positive body image development

Investigating the temporal dynamics of inter-organizational exchange: patient transfers among Italian hospitals

Previous research on interaction behavior among organizations (resource exchange, collaboration, communication) has typically aggregated records of those behaviors over time to constitute a ‘network’ of organizational relationships. We instead directly study structural-temporal patterns in organizational exchange, focusing on the dynamics of reciprocation. Applying this lens to a community of Italian hospitals during the period 2003-2007, we observe two mechanisms of interorganizational reciprocation: organizational embedding and resource dependence. We flesh out these two mechanisms by showing how they operate in distinct time frames: Dependence operates on contemporaneous exchange structures, whereas embedding develops through longer-term historical patterns. We also show how these processes operate differently in competitive and noncompetitive contexts, operationalized in terms of market differentiation and geographic space. In noncompetitive contexts, we observe both logics of reciprocation, dependence in the short term and embedding over the long term, developing into patterns of generalized exchange in this population. In competitive contexts, we observe neither form of reciprocation and instead observe the microfoundations of status hierarchies in exchange

The impact of male factors and their correct and early diagnosis in the infertile couple's pathway: 2021 perspectives

Purpose: The current clinical practice in reproductive medicine should pose the couple at the centre of the diagnostic-therapeutic management of infertility and requires intense collaboration between the andrologist, the gynaecologist and the embryologist. The andrologist, in particular, to adequately support the infertile couple, must undertake important biological, psychological, economical and ethical task. Thus, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted role of the andrologist in the study of male factor infertility. Methods: A comprehensive Medline, Embase and Cochrane search was performed including publications between 1969 and 2021. Results: Available evidence indicates that a careful medical history and physical examination, followed by semen analysis, always represent the basic starting points of the diagnostic work up in male partner of an infertile couple. Regarding treatment, gonadotropins are an effective treatment in case of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and FSH may be used in men with idiopathic infertility, while evidence supporting other hormonal and nonhormonal treatments is either limited or conflicting. In the future, pharmacogenomics of FSHR and FSHB as well as innovative compounds may be considered to develop new therapeutic strategies in the management of infertility. Conclusion: To provide a high-level of care, the andrologist must face several critical diagnostical and therapeutical steps. Even though ART may be the final and decisive stage of this decisional network, neglecting to treat the male partner may ultimately increase the risks of negative outcome, as well as costs and psychological burden for the couple itself

Androgenetic alopecia: a review

Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is the most common type of progressive hair loss disorder in men. The aim of this paper is to review recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology and molecular mechanism of androgenetic alopecia.Using the PubMed database, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, selecting studies published from 1916 to 2016.The occurrence and development of androgenetic alopecia depends on the interaction of endocrine factors and genetic predisposition. Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by progressive hair follicular miniaturization, caused by the actions of androgens on the epithelial cells of genetically susceptible hair follicles in androgen-dependent areas. Although the exact pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia remains to be clarified, research has shown that it is a polygenetic condition. Numerous studies have unequivocally identified two major genetic risk loci for androgenetic alopecia, on the X-chromosome ARa"EDA2R locus and the chromosome 20p11 locus.Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies have reported that single-nucleotide polymorphisms at different genomic loci are associated with androgenetic alopecia development. A number of genes determine the predisposition for androgenetic alopecia in a polygenic fashion. However, further studies are needed before the specific genetic factors of this polygenic condition can be fully explained

Interaction between ASIP and MC1R in Black and Brown Alpaca

Animal fibres from South American camelids and other fibre or wool bearing species provide important products for use by the human population. The contemporary context includes the competition with petrocarbon-based artificial fibres and concern about excessive persistence of these in the natural environment. Animal fibres present highly valuable characteristics for sustainable production and processing as they are both natural and renewable. On the other hand, their use is recognised to depend on availability of appropriate quality and quantity, the production of which is underpinned by a range of sciences and processes which support development to meet market requirements. This collection of papers combines international experience from South and North America, China and Europe. The focus lies on domestic South American camelids (alpacas, llamas) and also includes research on sheep and goats. It considers latest advances in sustainable development under climate change, breeding and genetics, reproduction and pathology, nutrition, meat and fibre production and fibre metrology. Publication of this book is supported by the Animal Fibre Working Group of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP). ‘Advances in Fibre Production Science in South American Camelids and other Fibre Animals’ addresses issues of importance to scientists and animal breeders, textile processors and manufacturers, specialised governmental policy makers and students studying veterinary, animal and applied biological sciences

Interaction of ASP and MC1R in black and brown alpaca.

Alpaca coat colour is a relevant feature both for breeders than textile industries. Agouti (ASP) and Extension (MC1R) are genes known to be involved in coat colour through pigmentation pathways by regulating type, amount and distribution of eumelanin and pheomelanin pigments in melanocytes. In alpaca genotype of ASP and MC1R genes have already been analysed distinctly, but their epistatic interaction have not been evaluated. In this study have been assessed their segregation more insights on black and brown phenotypes. In several mammals MC1R is epistatic over ASP, id est recessive allele in Agouti (a) and dominant allele in Extension locus (E) produces black phenotype. That is confirmed in alpaca where black coat has aH/aΔ57 and aH/ahT genotype on agouti and E/E or E/e genotype on MC1R locus. Otherwise ASP and MC1R in Brown/Red Brown, have a dominant profile at least in one allele as A/A, A/ahT on Agouti and E/e on Extension. Genotype and phenotype comparison clears that receptor and ligand are in concordance to produce pheomelanin and eumelanin in alpaca. Segregation analysis of 12 alpaca families genotyped by coat color, confirm the dominance of brown over black and could be helpful for coat colour classification and genotyping